'The Web Planet' (6 Parts) Story Code 'M' by Bill Strutton

A strange power drain forces the TARDIS to land on the desolate world of Vortis, a planet of craggy peaks and acid pools. The Doctor and Ian investigate, while Barbara is drawn trance-like from the ship. The TARDIS, with Vicki inside, is dragged into the Carsenome, the domain of the alien parasite Animus, whose web-like structure is slowly enveloping the planet. Barbara meets a party of butterfly-like Menoptera, the rightful inhabitants of the planet, but they are captured by giant ant-like Zarbi, thralls of the Animus, and forced to work in a slave colony. The Doctor is taken to the Carsenome, whilst Ian joins forces with an advance party of Menoptera. Falling into the caverns below the surface, Ian and his allies meet the underground-dwelling Optera; believing the Menoptera to be their Gods, the Optera agree to aid them in their battle against the Animus. The Doctor is able to obtain a weapon called the Isop-tope, but he is taken to the Animus before he can use it. When both Barbara and Ian's parties meet up in the Animus' chamber, Barbara uses the Isop-tope to destroy the evil creature. The Zarbi are freed from the creature's evil influence and become harmless cattle. The Menoptera regain control of their world, and the time travellers leave in the TARDIS.

William Hartnell (Dr Who), William Russell (Ian Chesterton), Jacqueline Hill (Barbara Wright), Maureen O'Brien (Vicki), The Zarbi: Robert Jewell, Jack Pitt, Gerald Taylor, Hugh Lund, Kevin Manser, John Scott Martin; Catherine Fleming (Animus Voice); The Menoptra: Roslyn de Winter (Vrestin), Anne Gordon (Hrostar), Arthur Blacke (Hrhoonda), Jolyon Booth (Prapillus), Jocelyn Birdsall (Hlynia) , Martin Jarvis (Hilio); The Optera: Ian Thompson (Hetra), Barbara Joss (Nemin)

Produced by Verity Lambert
Directed by Christopher Barry

TX:
'The Web Planet' - 13th February, 1965 @ 5.40pm - 6.05pm
'The Zarbi - 20th February, 1965 @ 5.40pm - 6.05pm
'Escape to Danger - 27th February, 1965 @ 5.40pm - 6.05pm
'Crater of Needles - 6th March, 1965 @ 5.40pm - 6.05pm
'Invasion - 13th March, 1965 @ 5.40pm - 6.05pm
'The Centre - 20th March, 1965 @ 5.40pm - 6.05pm

Notes:
*Featuring the First Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Vicki

*First appearance of the Animus, the Zarbi and the Menoptera

*Working titles: 'Doctor Who and the Webbed Planet'